It is often hard to galvanise myself to go out biking even during the day. Even though I know I will like it! But somehow the temptation to sit on my arse always has a greater pull. And that is doubly the case, when I am already in my pyjamas, it is 9.30pm, and cold and dark outside.
So I am particularly pleased a) that I gathered myself to do it, and b) that it was marvellous! It was quite liberating to be out, alone, in the dark, cycling by torchlight along the paths round the lakes. Visibility was reduced to where the torch was pointing, so it wasn’t exactly scenic, but kind of dramatic in a different way. The sounds were more noticeable. The bird calls, and the sound of swans wings flapping as they entered the water in flight. The moonlight sparkling across the lake surface was lovely. The feel of the breeze and the night air perked me up no end. It confirmed my suspicion that I spend far too much time indoors. There is no need to think a day is over just because the sun has set. I must do this more often!
The whole point, when this went on the list, was that I have been meaning to affix proper lights to my bike for about 3 years. I have never quite got round to it, and hence can only cycle in the daytime. And tediously, I still haven’t got round to it, but I’ve managed to tick it off the list by borrowing a powerful head torch and compromising on safety (don’t try this at home children..).
But now I am even more motivated to sort the bike lights, because it was great! Excellent.